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Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

How to Stay in Tokyo for Free: Part 2 – Our $200 Business Class Flights to Japan

June 27, 2017
by
Million Mile Secrets Million Mile Secrets

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Emily: Have you always wanted to visit Japan? You can get there for a fraction of the cost with a few credit card sign-up bonuses!

My boyfriend and I recently flew from Austin to Japan for~$200 round trip in Business Class. And for 3 weeks of lodging (including some fancy hotels), I spent ~$450!

Japan is a beautiful country with LOTS to see and do, from high-rise skyscrapers to old temples to hot springs. I loved Tokyo for its energetic neighborhoods, shopping, and delicious restaurants.

Aboard the Final Plane Before Our Japan Adventure! I Loved Business Class, but Was SO Excited to Arrive in Okinawa

Wherever you go, you’re sure to have an amazing time! In this series, I’ll go into detail about where I stayed in Tokyo, what to do, and some of my favorite restaurants, and show you how you can do it, too!

Flights to Japan on Miles

We flew to Japan for ~$200 in Business Class. I redeemed 190,000 American Airlines miles, which was before the American Airlines devaluation. Unfortunately, it now costs 240,000 American Airlines miles for 2 round-trip Business Class flights between the US and Japan.

I wanted to book First Class awards, but had trouble finding available seats. So instead I booked into Business Class. I found a route with a few layovers, but it would still be a long trip!

We Enjoyed Our Layovers Though, Especially the Taipei Airport!

I called the American Airlines customer service line to book the less-than-ideal flights (booking with miles usually takes some level of flexibility). The agent asked where I wanted to go, and the dates I wanted to travel.

I let her know I wanted to fly as close to Okinawa, Japan, as possible, and then fly out of mainland Japan. She was excellent, and found better seats for me than I found for myself!

You Can Do It, Too!

Flights

Each round-trip Business Class flight to Japan cost me 95,000American Airlines miles + $110 in taxes and fees. For an even better flight experience, try to find a seat on Cathay Pacific or Japan Airlines!

If You’ve Never Flown in Business or First Class, It’s Something You Should Try at Least Once!

Bottom Line

Getting to Japan for free is definitely possible with miles & points! However, it can take some time to find availability that works for your schedule. To me, what’s part of the fun!

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to call American Airlines, and work with a representative. Sometimes they can find seats that you can’t!

I paid 190,000 American Airlines miles and ~$200 to book two round-trip Business Class flights from the US to Japan. It was a lengthy itinerary, but that just meant we got to spend more time in comfy Business Class seats! 🙂

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Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

Are you kidding me? You people are bent! Who gives a damn who’s dating/married/whatever with another? That has NOTHING to do with the content at hand. They apparently still work together so does it really matter? The blog is MILLION MILE SECRETS not How to find a bff or a girlfriend while getting miles? Get a life people!

I agree with Mike….it started with Darius….then he and Emily were a couple….then he brought her on to do more…..then it was a nice love story to see them exploring places together after getting married……………then the surprise divorce……………..and yet they continue working on this as separate entities………………Emily constantly taking trips all over to report on……….

.and now with a boyfriend??? I agree….separate yourselves….I don’t feel,the same about reading this blog anymore…usually the information isn’t as timely as it was before………….or you have to walk everyone through everything as if they can’t figure anything out thm selves…………or is taken from other bloggers……and mainly you have guest bloggers….and now Emily with 12 part story of Tokyo with boyfriend……it’s not the same for me anymore to follow you….so your separate things on separat blogs…..

lol You sound like a child of divorce. Come on, we all know that both of them will find someone else eventually. It’s been long enough and obviously Dairius is generous enough to let Emily write about it, so we should move on too.

Part of this blog is documenting real travel experience and sometimes real life is a little messy. I like this better than some carefully curated picture-perfect blogs.

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)